Timing Belt cold weather question

[bergeron37]

My timing belt currently has about 110,000 miles on. It was replaced at 92,000 by the previous owner but heres the deal. I am trying to wait until the spring before I have to replace it, at which time I will have obviously have everything done (belts, hoses, water pump, etc).

I live just outside of Boston and with winter approaching fast, I am wondering if cold weather could place more strain on the belt and cause it to break easier?

Also, most of my driving is done on the highway to/from providence or bridgewater. The last thing i want is for this thing to break while I'm doing 70 on I-95 or Rt-24. Can someone tell me exactly what happens? I know I'll be stuck on the side of the road but with no damage to the non-interference engine. If it breaks, does the engine pretty much just shut off meaning that I will automatically be decelerating while trying to get over to the shoulder? I imagine that if this were the case, I would be in trouble as both of these highways are usually packed with people hauling ass.

I know everyone is going to say "just replace it now and be done with it", but that won't answer my question.

Thanks for the input guys, my trucks got 217,000 on it and going stronger than ever.

 

[etc.]

You should be fine if the previous owner used a quality belt.

If it does break, you will slow down rather quickly. To keep momentum, shift into neutral.

You should not sustain any enternal damage if it does break. What the belt does under the inspection cover, is a different thing. Also, it will be out of time when you go to fix it.

 

[bergeron37]

Thanks for the reply, I will try to remember the shifting into neutral tip if it does break. As for the previous owner's belt choice, do replaced belts usually have a longer life than the OEM?

 

[etc.]

I don't have any hard data, but I would think OEM is as good as it gets.

 

[shootmymime]

you will loose power steering and power brakes, because the engine dies.

 

[TheDurk]

At 110k on the belt, I wouldn't worry too much. I deliberately waited until 120k to do mine. If you are really worried, open up the cover on top and LOOK at it--check for cracks or evidence of a coolant leak. Most belts are killed by leaking coolant or failed bearings on idlers or WP--not from spontaneous failure of their own; that only happens at extreme mileage. Read the mega thread on YT for reassurance; that's how I decided on 120k.

http://www.yotatech.com/f2/how-many-miles-your-3-4l-timing-belt-55233/

And one from TTORA:

http://www.ttora.com/forum/showthread.php?t=98304

 

[bergeron37]

Thanks guys, I appreciate it.

 

[PitbullRescuer]

Just did mine, original belt had 175K on it. You're fine.

 

[ryan93Integra]

Just did mine, original belt had 175K on it. You're fine.

I thought I was the only one that had over 170000 miles on their timing belt lol. This is something i have been neglecting to do even though it looks simple to do